A Caribbean cetacean survey was conducted in 1995 by NOAA Southeast
Fisheries Science Center to examine the distribution and estimate abundance of
cetaceans in U.S. waters, especially in the Caribbean Sea and adjacent North
Atlantic. This dataset contains sightings of not only cetaceans but also other
species including sea turtles, fish and shark observed during the ship survey.
During the 44 day cruise with 4,274 transect kilometers surveyed, nine
cetaceans were identified, including Humpback whale, Minke whale, Mesoplodon
sp. Ziphiidae, Pilot whale, Bottlenose dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin,
Pantropical spotted dolphin, Striped dolphin. The dataset is accompanied by
transect data which is provided as a separate file.
The purpose of this survey is to examine the distribution and
estimate abundance of cetaceans in U.S. waters, especially in the Caribbean Sea
and adjacent North Atlantic, which should meet the responsibility under the
Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Specific
objectives of this survey are: 1. Collect line transect data to estimate
abundance and define the distributions of cetaceans in the northern Caribbean
Sea and adjacent Atlantic Ocean. 2. Collect ichthyoplankton samples in an
Atlantic swordfish longline fishing area and throughout the survey area. 3.
Collect associated environmental data at designated stations. 4. Obtain biopsy
samples of skin and blubber from selected cetacean species in U.S. waters. 5.
Collect data on the distribution and abundance of seabirds and other marine
life.
CURRENTNESS REFERENCE: ground condition
SPATIAL DATA ORGANIZATION INFORMATION
Direct Spatial Reference: Vector
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Entity point
Point and Vector Object Count: 1528
SPATIAL REFERENCE INFORMATION -
GEODETIC MODEL
Horizontal Datum Name: D_WGS_1984
Ellipsoid Name: WGS_1984
Semi-major Axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator of Flattening Ratio: 298.257224
NATIVE: Microsoft Windows 2000 Version 5.0 (Build 2195) Service Pack 4; ESRI
ArcCatalog 8.3.0.800

Place_Keyword: CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > USA

Place_Keyword: CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > FLORIDA

Access_Constraints:
Open public unless otherwise noted.

Use_Constraints:

The datasets should be used with the corresponding transects dataset. Not to
use data contained in OBIS-SEAMAP in any publication, product, or commercial
application without prior written consent of the original data provider. To
cite both the data provider and OBIS-SEAMAP appropriately after approval of use
is obtained. Also please refer to Distribution Liability.